CRTC Drops FM Oldies Rule In English Markets

February 12, 2009 at 5:04 AM (PT)

CANADA may finally hear more pre-1981 music on FM stations, with the CRTC eliminating its restrictions on the cap on pre-1981 music on FM stations in English-speaking markets. The rule, limiting English-market FMs to 50% "hits" (Top 40 chart hits before DECEMBER 31st, 1980), had been in place to protect AM Oldies stations, but with that format on fewer AM stations nationwide, the agency has determined that the rule is no longer necessary.

The restrictions placed on bilingual markets like MONTREAL and OTTAWA-GATINEAU remain in place, and the agency has expanded the list of charts used for that purpose to add NIELSEN's BDS Country Spins and BILLBOARD's Canadian Hot 100 chart.